Elite Perks on Princess Cruises
A Lazy Girl, real‑life breakdown from an Elite cruiser who does things her own way
A Lazy Girl, real‑life breakdown from an Elite cruiser who does things her own way.
If you’re sailing with Princess Cruises and wondering which Elite perks are actually worth using, this is your guide. Not the brochure version — the real version. The version from someone who cruises Elite, loves the perks she loves, ignores the ones she doesn’t, and unapologetically does things her own way.
This breakdown is perfect for readers who want honest, practical insight instead of corporate fluff.
This post may contain affiliate links for products or services I personally use and love. If you choose to make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, I only recommend things that fit the Lazy Girl travel style — simple, helpful, and genuinely part of my real-life routines.
Princess has four loyalty tiers — Gold, Ruby, Platinum, and Elite — but this guide focuses only on what it actually feels like to cruise Elite.
If you’re new to Princess status levels, you may also want to read my full breakdown ofPrincess Loyalty Tiers.
🔎 Overview: What Princess Elite Status Really Gets You
Princess Elite comes with a long list of perks, but not all perks fit every cruiser’s style. This post breaks down:
The perks I love
The perks I never use
The perks I always intend to try but don’t
The perks I skip on purpose
If you’re new to Princess, you may also want to read:
Princess MedallionClass Basics
🍹 Elite Minibar Setup
⭐ Status: LOVE IT (my #1 Elite perk)
This perk sparks way more joy than it should — and I’m not changing.
My Elite minibar ritual:
Grab the free orange juice at breakfast
Chill it in the cabin fridge
Mix drinks with it at night like a tiny oceanfront speakeasy
Swap the tiny liquor bottles for sodas/waters I’ll actually use
Can I afford to buy a drink? Yes. Does this make me happier? Absolutely.
If you want to see how I stock my cabin, check out: Cabin Hacks - Minibar
🚤 Priority Tendering
⭐ Status: LOVE IT — one of my top perks
When this perk is available, it’s perfection.
My March experience:
Walked into a room
They walked us straight down
No lines
No waiting
No stress
I love to plan the big picture, but I don’t love planning the exact minute I’m ready to start my day. Priority tendering lets me start my day when I decide I’m ready.
If you’re planning a tender‑heavy itinerary, you may also like:
🛍️ Priority Disembarkation
⭐ Status: LOVE IT
This perk is quiet but mighty.
You get:
A calm exit
No crowd crush
A smooth goodbye
It’s one of those perks you don’t appreciate until you’re actually doing it.
🧺 Elite Laundry
❌ Status: NEVER USED IT
You would think I’d use this since I pack light… but nope.
I’ve never sent laundry out. Not once. Not even on long cruises.
It’s not part of my cruise flow. I pack smart, rewear things, and don’t want laundry logistics during vacation.
If you’re a light packer too, check out:
🛳️ Elite Lounge
❌ Status: NEVER DONE IT (but always on my “maybe someday” list)
I’ve never been to the Elite Lounge. Not once.
Every cruise I say, “I’m going to pop in this time.” And then… I don’t.
Not because it’s bad — but because I’m usually:
in the spa
wandering the ship
relaxing on the balcony
or just vibing somewhere else
This perk stays in my “I swear I’ll go someday” category.
If you want spa content:
🧳 Shoe Shine Service
❌ Status: SKIP IT
I have never used this. Most cruisers don’t.
📸 Free Medallion Accessories
❌ Status: MEH
I don’t care much about the lanyards or accessories.
⭐ Final Lazy Girl Verdict
Elite perks aren’t about value — they’re about ease and joy. And the perks I actually use reflect that.
💖 My real Elite MVPs
Minibar setup
Priority tendering
Priority disembarkation
🤷♀️ My “maybe someday” perks
Elite lounge
🚫 My “nope, not for me” perks
Laundry
Shoe shine
Stateroom amenities
I cruise Elite the Lazy Girl way — using the perks that make my day smoother, happier, and more fun… and ignoring the ones that don’t fit my vibe.
Julie — Creator of No Point Left Behind
Julie is a travel‑hacking content creator based in Tennessee, and the voice behind NoPointLeftBehind.net. She’s an Elite‑status Princess cruiser who believes in doing things the Lazy Girl way — smart, simple, and joyful.
She’s known for her pastel editorial visuals, espresso‑maker rituals, and real‑life guides that make points and perks feel easy. When she’s not sailing, she’s building Lazy Girl hubs for credit cards, gear, stacking, and travel — all designed to help readers travel smarter without the overwhelm.
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